scheduling and late arrivals

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · May 2, 2010

We see late arrivals, we just let them know that since they are late we will need to work them back in and so there may be a wait. If you do this people are generally pretty understanding. You cant penalize the people who show up on time because someone else is late but things happen in life - the dog throws up, the kid decides to put his clothes on backwards. A little understanding and forgiveness goes a long way towards building your patient base and saving your sanity. It's really all in how the front desk handles it - sometimes you need to train them.

pedspnp · May 2, 2010

thanks the people who show up late are the same ones over and over or they no show, when they do show they are late then as soon as I get in the room they will say well we have to be some place else in 30 minutes and the child is there for a sports physical and needs meds refilled and oh there is something else that i need to talk to you about that has been going on for a month or 2 it is enough to make you crazy but i am learning to tell them lets schedule another visit to address these concerns as long as it is not life threatening

allnurses Guide · May 3, 2010

It's a huge problem where I work, also. We give the patients 30 minutes past their appt. time (15 min for last appt. before lunch or end of day) to show up. If they're later than that, they have to reschedule. We have a few registration staff that are easily intimidated by patients and will register them way past the late time, but the providers have really put their foot (feet?) down on that issue. It's not fair to the patients who arrive on time, and not fair to the staff.

VivaRN · May 3, 2010

We have that problem as well! Though the biggest problem is that there is no policy, if a patient shows up late it is up to the individual provider whether or not to see the patient. This turns into "good provider bad provider" as some never say no and then it makes you look bad.

pedspnp · May 4, 2010

one of the LVNs in the office basically told me that I had to see walkins and those who are late i am trying to figure out where she gets off telling me who i have to see

morte, LPN, LVN · May 4, 2010

one of the LVNs in the office basically told me that I had to see walkins and those who are late i am trying to figure out where she gets off telling me who i have to see

because........

Bonosgrrl · May 4, 2010

because........

because I would assume the LVN is not her boss :)

OP when I worked in primary care this would bug me too, it would put my day behind and I would be the one there extra doing my charting etc........

its not fair to pts who come on time, staff, and the providers.

I would insist they follow their own policy, or at the very least ask YOU if you can still see the late comer

morte, LPN, LVN · May 4, 2010

because I would assume the LVN is not her boss :)
OP when I worked in primary care this would bug me too, it would put my day behind and I would be the one there extra doing my charting etc........
its not fair to pts who come on time, staff, and the providers.
I would insist they follow their own policy, or at the very least ask YOU if you can still see the late comer

sarcasm......the LVN is her boss if it is allowed

pedspnp · May 4, 2010

thanks everyone the next time this happens where some one is telling me what to do I am going to stand my ground and state that this type of conversation really needs to be with management and really it does thats where it belongs I have yet to have any one in management or my supervising md mention anything about this.